The Socceroos

[Simon]

Its not always about winning or losing, making the world cup or not. We have moved into the Asian federation for the good of the game in Australia. football in this country has never taken off because the fans dont relate to anything, we never get to see the players, we really only play 2 competetive games of any note every 4 years and theres just a lack of promotion of the game.

Going into Asia is a move to promote the game and improve the standard of our players not to improve our chances of making the world cup. I cant see why people are against the FFA trying their absolute hardest getting this sport of the ground in Australia, its pretty obvious we need more than a revamped domestic competition, if the national team can get results (and that isnt neccisarily qualifying for the WC) the sport may get more exposure.

 

[marc71178]

Why couldn't it have been played in any week? There are enough vacant stadia in Germany in an eight-day period, surely!

There isn't a week in FIFA's calender at the moment though.

 

[marc71178]

Its not always about winning or losing, making the world cup or not. We have moved into the Asian federation for the good of the game in Australia

Yes, of course it is, and pigs also fly.

 

[andyc]

Simon's got a point Marc, you don't improve by regularly thrashing the Solomon Islands and then getting thrashed yourselves against European nations.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Simon's got a point Marc, you don't improve by regularly thrashing the Solomon Islands and then getting thrashed yourselves against European nations.

So it was just a nightmare I had when you beat us 3-1 in England? Phew, what a relief!

Seriously tho, I actually think it'll be good for the Oz game. I presume your club teams will play in the Asian Champions cup too? Should give the sport more exposure. I worry that NZ will be cut adrift a bit tho.

 

[Sir Redman]

I worry that NZ will be cut adrift a bit tho.

So do I. FIFA never has, and never will give a stuff about Oceania, and now that Australia is going to Asia we're going to be cut further adrift.

It still has the highest player numbers for junior grades though (far higher than rugby, cricket etc) but there's just no future for anyone in the game here. Ask most of those kids to name the NZ team and they'll give you a "Ryan Nelsen" and then a blank look.

 

[BoyBrumby]

So do I. FIFA never has, and never will give a stuff about Oceania, and now that Australia is going to Asia we're going to be cut further adrift.

It still has the highest player numbers for junior grades though (far higher than rugby, cricket etc) but there's just no future for anyone in the game here. Ask most of those kids to name the NZ team and they'll give you a "Ryan Nelsen" and then a blank look.

I remember reading something about it being the most popular participation sport down there for teenagers, especially amongst the white kids. Apparently the Polynesian kids bulk out a lot earlier, so in junior-age Rugby they make mincemeat of the smaller kids or something?

I guess part of the prob is that you're way down there &, if they want to make a decent living, footballers generally have to come to Europe, so you hardly get to see your best players as club managers are loathe to release them for (what they see as) meaningless friendlies.

Hopefully the A-League may make a bit of difference. NZ have a team in there, don't they?

 

[Neil Pickup]

I remember reading something about it being the most popular participation sport down there for teenagers, especially amongst the white kids. Apparently the Polynesian kids bulk out a lot earlier, so in junior-age Rugby they make mincemeat of the smaller kids or something?

I guess part of the prob is that you're way down there &, if they want to make a decent living, footballers generally have to come to Europe, so you hardly get to see your best players as club managers are loathe to release them for (what they see as) meaningless friendlies.

Hopefully the A-League may make a bit of difference. NZ have a team in there, don't they?

Yes, and Sean Devine plays for them. Surely that tells you enough...

Suggest Asia & Oceania merge.

 

[Simon]

Yes, and Sean Devine plays for them. Surely that tells you enough...

Suggest Asia & Oceania merge.

the idea of Asia and Oceania merging has come up a few times but the costs involved for the island nations to play is just far too much...
in an ideal world that is the best situation, but its just not gonna happen...

 

[chaminda_00]

the idea of Asia and Oceania merging has come up a few times but the costs involved for the island nations to play is just far too much...
in an ideal world that is the best situation, but its just not gonna happen...

If East Timor can afford it why couldn't the Island nations? I think long term they will combine, especially after NZ get smashed like 5-0 (or more) in a quailfier against a South American side. I can't see Oceania going to far with Australia, the standard will just get worse and worse.

 

[Sir Redman]

I remember reading something about it being the most popular participation sport down there for teenagers, especially amongst the white kids. Apparently the Polynesian kids bulk out a lot earlier, so in junior-age Rugby they make mincemeat of the smaller kids or something?

I guess part of the prob is that you're way down there &, if they want to make a decent living, footballers generally have to come to Europe, so you hardly get to see your best players as club managers are loathe to release them for (what they see as) meaningless friendlies.

Hopefully the A-League may make a bit of difference. NZ have a team in there, don't they?

That's right, I've been playing since I was about 6 and cannot recall playing a single game against a team containing Polynesian kids. They almost exclusively play rugby (league or union) and beat the living daylights out of the much smaller white guys.

Our national team plays a game about once every blue moon, and when they do its either in Europe against club teams or qualifiers against the might of the Pacific Islands' nations. I honestly cannot remember the last time they played a game here.

As for the NZ Knights in the A-League, the less said the better.

 

[Simon]

If East Timor can afford it why couldn't the Island nations? I think long term they will combine, especially after NZ get smashed like 5-0 (or more) in a quailfier against a South American side. I can't see Oceania going to far with Australia, the standard will just get worse and worse.

dont ask me, im just reporting the facts, the official reason that they dont join Asia is because of money, personally i think theres other factors but who knows...

 

[Craig]

Eh? Uzbekistan - Bahrain got replayed completely after that refereeing horror show; and the Uzbeks lost on away goals

That is what I'm talking about.

The match should never have been replayed, or at least starting at the 38th minute with the penalty and go from there.

And they replayed the last 6 minutes in a Real Madrid - Real Sociedad match last year, and yet this is probably more important.

 

[Craig]

Their player names end in "-ov" and "-ski". That's European enough isn't it?

But they are not officially in Europe though.

And by that logic can Australia play in the Europe qualifying matches because our surnames hail from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Serbia & Montenegro etc. and hold passports from there (ie Kewell)?

 

[BoyBrumby]

As far as WC qualifiers go Asia & Oceania used to play as one qualifying entity until (IIRC) 1982. Ironically enough I think Israel used to play in the Oceania section until the qualifiers for 90 or 94 & it's a pretty big stretch to say they're in Oceania!

Does anyone know why Asia & Oceania separated? Was it something Asia wanted?

 

[Craig]

But they're not Asian.

Again put yourself in Aussie football fans shoes and you might understand.

But you won't so you will never understand and there for remain ignorant.

 

[Craig]

I remember reading something about it being the most popular participation sport down there for teenagers, especially amongst the white kids. Apparently the Polynesian kids bulk out a lot earlier, so in junior-age Rugby they make mincemeat of the smaller kids or something?

I guess part of the prob is that you're way down there &, if they want to make a decent living, footballers generally have to come to Europe, so you hardly get to see your best players as club managers are loathe to release them for (what they see as) meaningless friendlies.

Hopefully the A-League may make a bit of difference. NZ have a team in there, don't they?

Thank you.

At least somebody (in England) takes notice of the game down here and actually has concerns for down here. Unlike Marc who likes to mock it.

 

[Craig]

As far as WC qualifiers go Asia & Oceania used to play as one qualifying entity until (IIRC) 1982. Ironically enough I think Israel used to play in the Oceania section until the qualifiers for 90 or 94 & it's a pretty big stretch to say they're in Oceania!

Does anyone know why Asia & Oceania separated? Was it something Asia wanted?

Think there was a falling out somewhere down the line between the head of Asia and Oceania.

 

[marc71178]

And they replayed the last 6 minutes in a Real Madrid - Real Sociedad match last year, and yet this is probably more important.

No, they didn't replay it - a bomb scare caused the game to be halted.

 

[marc71178]

Again put yourself in Aussie football fans shoes and you might understand.

But you won't so you will never understand and there for remain ignorant.

No, I fully understand - Australian's want a far easier path to the finals.

Still doesn't make them Asian.